West Seattle, Washington
04 Monday
(WSB photos)
This afternoon, state and local cleanup crews were at the encampment across from the Arrowhead Gardens senior-living complex on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle. After photographing what they were doing, we asked WSDOT how exactly today’s work fits into the “resolution” plan detailed at a meeting Tuesday night (WSB coverage here). Here’s what WSDOT’s Brian Nielsen subsequently said in an email update:
As mentioned on Tuesday evening, last Friday WSDOT posted notice at the Myers Way encampment sharing that all operable vehicles needed to move off the site, urging individuals who have challenges moving their vehicles to reach out to outreach teams on site for assistance. Work wrapped up yesterday to place barrier to eliminate access for any new vehicles to the site. The City of Seattle also posted “No Parking” signs on both sides of Myers Way.
This is a very important step in WSDOT and our partners’ work to manage access and inhibit growth within the encampment. We also know there are inoperable vehicles that will likely remain onsite and will be addressed once the encampment is resolved.
I’m also glad to share that the pool and associated wood fencing has been removed. I know this garnered a lot of attention and for many was a symbol of how firmly entrenched this encampment was. We were able to successfully provide housing for the individual associated with these structures. Related to some of our discussion Tuesday evening, this individual was not initially interested in moving, but felt differently after working with the outreach team.
In coordination with the City of Seattle, a significant amount of debris and trash removal also occurred today, allowing for better access and sight lines as well as removing potential flammable material. Ongoing trash pickup will continue.
Also from Nielsen’s update: “While the timeline to resolution doesn’t have exact dates, it is one based on proven results. The (state Right Of Way Safety Initiative) has successfully addressed 30 encampments statewide with over 800 housing offers matched to people’s individual needs. Of those, 694 people remain in their housing options – that’s an 85% success rate in keeping people living indoors.”
What happened near 46th/Massachusetts in North Admiral around midnight sounds similar to what happened near 41st/Portland in Gatewood earlier this week. Terry sent photos and a note thanking neighbors for their heroism:
Big THANK YOU to all our neighbors in North Admiral who called 911 shortly before midnight last night and woke me and my husband to alert us about the fire on our property. There apparently was a loud explosion prior to the fire. Looking for the woman who turned on our garden hose and started to try to put out the flames before we were able to get out of the house – my husband took the hose from you but we were in such shock we were not able to properly thank you before you left. Kudos to the quick response from Seattle Fire and Police – the only damage appears to be to our landscaping.
(Added: WSB photos)
12:01 PM: Thanks for the tip. The Fauntleroy ferry dock is full and the offloading/loading of M/V Kittitas is delayed because of a problem with the apron, according to what we’re told at the dock. Terminal workers tell us it’s being worked on. Updates to come.
12:05 PM: To be more specific, we’re told it’s a power problem with the apron. It’s just been announced at the dock that an electrician has arrived but they don’t have an ETA for how soon this will be fixed.
12:16 PM: The Kittitas has left Fauntleroy headed back to Vashon since there’s no ETA, and cars waiting at Fauntleroy are being allowed to turn around and leave the dock.
12:21 PM: WSF has finally officially issued a bulletin about this, saying only, “The Fauntleroy Terminal in west Seattle is out of service until further notice due to necessary maintenance.”
(Latest image from WSF camera at dock)
1:19 PM: The empty Kittitas has returned to wait at Fauntleroy. Meantime, WSF is detouring boats to downtown: “Seattle-bound traffic from Vashon or Southworth will be diverted to Pier 52 to off-load. But traffic bound for Vashon will not be loaded at Pier 52.”
2 PM: The Kittitas has left again, apparently to be put into service on the diverted runs that will head from Vashon/Southworth to downtown. No updates on repair progress.
2:40 PM: WSF says repairs were “successful” and the Fauntleroy dock is in service again:
Operations out of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal have resumed following successful repairs to the terminal bridge. Though the route will return to service, customers should anticipate longer than usual waits due to increased traffic. Boats are still attempting to move as much traffic and get back into position as quickly as possible …
Though it’s not mentioned in that update, Vessel Watch showed a third boat, M/V Issaquah, was summoned into service, at least temporarily.
2:53 PM: The King County Water Taxi is adding a run from downtown to Vashon at 3:30 pm to help with the backlog.
Each of these two reader reports is about two bicycles:
STOLEN BICYCLES: Zoe says thieves in this truck stole two electric folding bikes from her garage last night between 5:45 and 6:15:
It’s a Chevrolet Silverado that she says “drove by in the alley” off 35th SW between Andover and Dakota, “then came back again and stole the bikes … two men, one with white hair, wearing a mask.” The bikes are “a Jetson bike and Lectric Lite beige.”
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BICYCLES: From Nancy:
Two adult bicycles were left at my office building around 2 am this morning (July 21, 2023) in the 5400 block of California Ave SW. A light green Electra Cruiser 7 bicycle and a green Takara bicycle.
We don’t yet have police-report #s in either of these cases, so if you have specific information on any of these bikes, let us know and we’ll connect you. (Update) A commenter says they parked the last two bikes there intentionally; we’ve notified the person who reported them.
The Alki Art Fair headlines what’s up today/tonight in West Seattle. This is the first of three days, and it gets going at the beach – starting in the Bathhouse and vicinity (60th/Alki) and stretching west along the promenade.
*Hours today: 2-8 pm
*Artist/vendor info here
*Music info here
*Food vendors listed here (scroll down)
*Free Kids’ Zone
Alki Art Fair community co-sponsors include WSB. Here’s the rest of the lineup for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of student-grown plants, until 2 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
ART POP-UP: Second of three days at 4500 California SW – open until 10 pm; details here.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
ANNIVERSARY SALE: West Seattle’s only comic-book shop Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW) is having a sale the next two days: “Big sales on back issues and used trade paperbacks & hardcovers!” Open 11:30 am-7 pm today.
DELRIDGE AND HIAWATHA WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW and 2700 California SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm on the shore at Lincoln Park; session schedule here.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
FLOAT DODGER 5K PACKET PICKUP: 3-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California; WSB sponsor), pick up your packet for tomorrow morning’s 5K – participants get 10% off store items while there!
VISCON CELLARS: Tonight, visit Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).
WATCH PARTY: Outer Space Seattle (2820 Alki SW) continues its family-friendly Women’s World Cup watch parties – doors open 5:30 pm, kickoff at 6 pm tonight for USA vs. Vietnam. Adult and under-1-year-olds free; kids 1 and up, $14 for use of the playspace.
KENYON HALL SHOWCASE: Monthly showcase for singers and songwriters at Kenyon Hall. signups at 6, music at 6:30. More info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK X 2: GreenStage has two free outdoor performances in West Seattle tonight at 7 pm:
–“Henry VI, part 1“ at Camp Long (5200 35th SW)
–“Romeo and Juliet” in Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Dublin Abbey performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
SUMMER SUNSET SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), $35.
HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: The musical is in its final weekend at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Evenings, Ruby Vision, Camp Hero, doors 8 pm, music 9 pm at The Skylark – $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another West Seattle Little League all-star team has won the district championship and is headed to state! This report and photo are from Amy:
The WSLL 8-10 team was undefeated in the District Championships last week and are headed to the State Championships in Othello, WA this weekend.
The team includes:
Blake Dennison
Cal Reed
Carter Kuhlmann
Clyde McCary
Elliott Jewett
Everett Harkins
Jason Ardales
Jude Dykgraaf
Konley Bissell
Owen Umeno
Reiar Anderson
Samuel ShigetaniManager: Randy Shigetani
Coach: Mike Jewett
Coach: Justin Dennison
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, July 21st.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Clouds, then sunny, high in upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:33 am; sunset will be at 8:57 pm.
(Thursday moonset photo by James Bratsanos)
WEEKEND ALERTS
*The West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K this Saturday (July 22) will close California SW for several hours, morning to early afternoon, from Admiral to Edmunds, as well as some side streets. Here are the details of bus reroutes, street closures, and parking restrictions.
*Though surface traffic will NOT be affected, maritime traffic needs to know that the low bridge will only be able to open one leaf between 1 am Saturday and 5 am Monday – the full notice is on this webpage.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Back to regular schedules – check here for advisories. Note extra C and H Line trips for this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts.
Water Taxi – Also planning extra late-night runs for this weekend’s concerts. Regular service today, though.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
11:54 PM: Police are at the scene of what they describe as a rollover crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, by the onramp from 1st Avenue South.
11:56 PM: Seattle Fire is now sending a “rescue extrication” response.
12 AM: Police say they’re temporarily blocking the westbound bridge. Meantime, arriving SFD units describe this as a car-on-side crash.
12:03 AM: Firefighters say no one is trapped, so they’re downsizing the response.
12:40 AM: Officers just told dispatch they’re reopening the bridge. Meantime, we haven’t heard any info about injuries, so we’ll follow up with SFD.
1:07 AM: Added a photo sent by Valentine, who reports helping pull the driver out of her car and says she was taken to a hospital.
9:22 AM: SFD confirms the 19-year-old woman was in stable condition when taken to a hospital.
The West Seattle Grand Parade is is less than 36 hours away! Two more previews before this night is out:
(Seafair Pirates in 2019 West Seattle Grand Parade)
PARADE TRAFFIC: The parade starts at 11 am at California/Lander and heads south on California to Edmunds, and it’s preceded on that route by the Float Dodger 5K, starting at 9:30 am. The street closures and bus reroutes start earlier. Here’s what to know:
*Bus reroutes start at 5 am – you can see the changes for C Line, Route 50, and Route 128 buses by going here
*Street-closure signs are staged as early as 6 am
*No-parking enforcement starts at 7 am – please move vehicles before then
*Police start fully closing California from Admiral to Edmunds at 8 am – it’s a phased closure that will be complete by 9 am
*To travel north alongside the parade route, use 45th Avenue SW from Erskine to Oregon, 44th Ave SW from Oregon to Stevens, 45th Ave SW from Stevens to Admiral Way
*PCC (WSB sponsor) is accessible from 44th and Stevens, but don’t exit north through the alley; Admiral Safeway is accessible from Admiral Way SW and 42nd Avenue SW; you’ll have to exit back to Admiral Way.
GRAND MARSHAL: In addition to Erik Bell riding in the parade as the Orville Rummel Trophy winner, you can cheer for Grand Marshal Whitney Moore. She is about to leave the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce after two years as its executive director – two years during which energy and resiliency was vital, to help local businesses get through the pandemic and bridge closure. Whitney was hailed when she started the job as bringing “talents in community engagement, leadership, innovation, and a passion for small businesses” as well as “many years of leadership, communications, event planning, and strategic marketing experience.” Her future plans include completing a children’s book! Lately she’s been presiding as the Chamber celebrates its centennial, and by riding in the Grand Parade, she’s part of a tradition that’s been around almost that long. We asked for her thoughts on being this year’s Grand Marshal: “I’m honored to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade in West Seattle, Best Seattle! This is such a fun event and I love how many people it brings out to our local businesses year after year. West Seattle is the best community to be a part of and I’m humbled to be leading this year’s parade down our iconic California Ave SW.”
(WSB photos, video)
Another idyllic night on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, as the comeback season continues for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s summer concert series. Tonight, a double bill – Midpak:
And the School of Rock:
So many student musicians on that part of the bill, we got a group pic too:
Next Thursday night (July 27th) at 6:30 pm, the ANA presents this year’s third and final concert, with Ranger and the Re-Arrangers. Free, everyone welcome, bring your own chair/blanket!
Thanks to everyone who sent photos from what Seattle Fire dispatched as a “brush fire” sweeping across a slope at Westcrest Park about an hour ago. SFD sent Engine 11, which was on scene for about 20 minutes.
No injuries reported, and no word on the cause – SFD did not send its investigator – but it’s a reminder of just how dry things are right now.
(WSB photo – future Morgan Junction Park Addition)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though it was close to the end of the meeting, an update on the nine-years-in-the-making Morgan Junction Park expansion site was the major news at last night’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting, held online and facilitated by president Deb Barker.
MORGAN JUNCTION PARK ADDITION: Kelly Goold from Seattle Parks said they got a lot of good comments at last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival regarding the park addition. “The funding has returned for the project,” he reminded MoCA, so Parks dusted off the shelved original design and added possible new features such as active recreation (like skating). Money for the site cleanup – it formerly held a dry cleaner – is still available and they are still hoping to get that done within a few months. “Some kind of landscaping” will follow. including potentially “a big sentinel tree.” Then they’ll bring down the fence and open the site to some kind of public use until full development. About 400 people have responded to the survey – still open online – in addition to the hundreds they talked with at the festival. So what’s been holding up the cleanup? Getting the shoring designed, planning the digging of “a big hole,” etc., Goold said. As for the timeline for the park development itself, “that’s at least a year and a half out.” Spring 2025 is the current estimate. No further public meetings planned any time soon – once the survey closes, a new schematic design will be assembled. MoCA plans to invite Goold to the next meeting (October 19th). The city bought the site in 2014 for $1.9 million; within the ensuing two years, the businesses that had been in a building on the site both closed, and the building was demolished.
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: All eight were invited. The five who showed up got to speak. Each got a 10-minute spot, primarily spent on self-introduction, with time for a question or two after that. Here are our summaries of what they said:
Just sent by Debbie and Steve:
Sometime between 5:50 pm July 19th and 5:30 pm today, our pickup was stolen, parked on the street by our house (near 39th & Thistle). We are currently trying to report it to the police. It is a 2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty.
We’ll add the police report # when available. (update) It’s 23-205610.
While most of the rest of the nation is hotter than usual, our temperatures remain “seasonal” – so it’s prime time to enjoy being outdoors. Here are four unique local events that arrived in the WSB inbox recently (not even all in our calendar yet)
RAT CITY RUMBLE: Another block party in White Center! Lariat Bar is leading this one, 11 am-5 pm Saturday, with 16th SW closed between 98th and 100th, and wrestling matches – in keeping with Lariat’s theme – among the highlights. Here’s the announcement published on our partner site White Center Now.
S2S FEST: Peace Peloton presents a festival of food/drink, music, and arts/crafts at Seacrest Park (1660 Harbor SW), 3-10 pm Saturday. You can RSVP for free by going here.
SOULFEST BLOCK PARTY: Starting at 4:30 pm Saturday, music, food, and fun will fill the site of this unique celebration in Seaview. Ticket link, music lineup, and more are in our calendar listing.
(Seattle Opera photo by Sunny Martini)
OPERA IN THE PARK: Sunday at 10 am, in Highland Park (1100 SW Cloverdale), Seattle Opera will present “our 2023 touring production, Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, a 35-minute-long bilingual opera written for youth audiences. This interactive piece features an updated text that moves seamlessly between English and Spanish.” Read more here about the event (which will be repeated August 13th if you can’t go this Sunday).
As reported here earlier this month, Seattle Public Schools will have community meetings around the city next month to talk about a plan that could lead to school closures/consolidations starting as soon as fall 2024. They promised to announce the meeting dates/locations this week, and have just done so. From the announcement:
During these meetings, senior leaders will connect with our community to envision what a well-resourced school looks like. SPS staff will share a presentation, respond to questions, and facilitate group discussion.
Your feedback will help guide future district planning. This fall, we will review your feedback and develop an inclusive and equitable plan.
SPS has the opportunity to reimagine a system of well-resourced schools that is safe and equitable. Our goal is to offer students the support, the programs and resources, and the inspiration they need to succeed in the neighborhoods where they live.
(Meeting dates/times of West Seattle relevance:)
Southwest Region: Madison Middle School commons/lunchroom, Thursday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.
Location: 3429 45th Ave. SWOnline: Teams Meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Translation and interpretation services will be provided at each meeting based on request. American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese interpreters will be available. After the online meeting, a recording will be posted to the district website. We hope you can join us! Take a moment to RSVP or send us your questions. Complete the RSVP to request accommodation for the meetings by Monday, July 31.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
RESIDENTIAL ROBBERY/ASSAULT: According to a police-report summary made available today, there was a residential robbery on Wednesday. The report number with the summary cross-references to an incident reported shortly before 6 am Wednesday in a multi-unit building on the 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW: “Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at the residence. The (robber) hit the victim with the gun and then took items from the bedroom to include jewelry and the passport of the victim. The (robber) then fled in a vehicle from the scene.” No description of the robber or vehicle was included; we’re trying to find out more. (added) So far, archived audio from the incident includes a partial description of the robber/attacker and vehicle as a Black man with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and “basketball shorts,” leaving in a blue Mustang. (Added) SFD says its medics treated a 63-year-old man for injuries from the assault; he declined to be taken to the hospital.
STOLEN GOLD ACCORD: The photo and report are from Elana:
Last night between 10 pm-6 am on the 8600 block of 31st between Trenton and Cloverdale, our vehicle (1991 gold Honda Accord, license plate CGH4946) was stolen out of our driveway and on the way out they backed into our other vehicle, which was parked on the other side of the street. The police report number is 23-204950.
8/11 UPDATE: Found.
Three West Seattle business notes:
EX-FITNESS GARAGE: One of the locations on our long watch list of future business (and other) sites is 5659 California SW, a former auto shop that most recently was home to fitness businesses. Readers noticed that the “for lease” sign came down and the building was repainted. We’ve been trying to find out whether that meant a new tenant had been signed. Today we caught up with the building’s owner, who says no, no new tenant yet – they decided to spruce up the building before continuing the search for one, and that’s what the paint job is all about.
ALKI KAYAK TOURS DISCOUNT: Want to see West Seattle from the water? Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW) has an offer:
Are you new to West Seattle or just interested in exploring our coastline and learning about the history of the “Birthplace of Seattle”? Join us for a sea kayak tour on Elliott Bay to the Alki Point Lighthouse and back. We begin at Seacrest Marina, and after an introduction to the gear and technique, paddle to the Alki Lighthouse to explore the West Seattle shoreline. Common sightings of sea lion, harbor seals, jellyfish, and seabirds will keep you scanning the horizon as you paddle past historic site of Luna Park and the original 1851 landing of the Denny Party and land at the lighthouse for some tide pooling in some of oldest bedrock in the NW. (Yes, there is a fault line that is visible just south of the Alki Lighthouse, and the anemones and moon snails have made it home.)
We have offered this three-hour tour since 2005 and if you’re comfortable with a few hours of outdoor activity you should be fine. These are not tippy river kayaks, but stable 21′ NW Kayaks that cut through the water and travel with relative ease. We are offering the Lighthouse Tour Locals discount for those interested in joining us at $99. So use Code “WSlocal” to book your Alki Point Lighthouse Sea Kayak Tour and come see why we live in West Seattle.
TAILS TO ASTONISH ANNIVERSARY SALE: Happy second anniversary to West Seattle’s only comic-book shop! Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW) is having a sale the next two days:
Big sales on back issues and used trade paperbacks & hardcovers!
Friday, July 21: 11:30-7:00
Saturday, July 22: 11:30-7:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP AT OUTER SPACE SEATTLE: Just out of the inbox – Outer Space Seattle (2820 Alki SW) is having family-friendly watch parties for the Women’s World Cup games tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Free admission for adults and babies under a year old, $14 for kids 1 year and up. Times and teams are on this page of the Outer Space website.
(Photo by Laura Goodrich – squirrel near Longfellow Creek)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight:
FREE TREATS: Today’s the day that HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is celebrating National Ice Cream Month, and spotlighting business client Full Tilt Ice Cream, with free ice bars all day, plus a drawing. Open until 5 pm.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, noon-7 pm – here’s the schedule of sessions.
ART POP-UP: First of three days at 4500 California SW – open until 10 pm; details here.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Lumpia World will be visiting.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!
VOLUNTEER HANGOUT AT OUNCES: Get some goodies and meet some good people – visit Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) 5-8 pm and learn about volunteer power at Delridge Grocery Co-op – details in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: The series of free concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association continues with Midpak and School of Rock performing at 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (Walnut south of Lander). Bring your own chair/blanket/picnic!
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The ACC‘s regular monthly meeting is at 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) or online (connection info is in our calendar listing). SPD usually attends ACC and topics tonight are likely to include Sunday’s crash and the longrunning push for more traffic calming on Alki and Harbor Avenues.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Levi Said and Anthony Lee Phillips perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages.
THURSDAY NIGHT CORNHOLE: Go play at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.
HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: Final week for the return of this hit musical at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.
There’s even more in our calendar!
Thanks to Ryan for the photo and note:
The West Seattle Little League 9-11 girls won districts against Renton and are on to the state tournament!
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, July 20th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high around 85. Today’s sunrise was at 5:32 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.
(Wednesday sunset photo by Chris Frankovich)
LOOKING AHEAD
The West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K this Saturday (July 22) will close California SW for several hours, morning to early afternoon, from Admiral to Edmunds, as well as some side streets. Take the no-parking signs seriously – violators will be towed.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Back to regular schedules – check here for advisories. Note extra C and H Line trips for this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts.
Water Taxi – Also planning extra late-night runs for this weekend’s concerts. Regular service today, though.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
As reported here, that reader-provided photo shows the scene Monday morning at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex as what was left of a burned, presumably stolen Kia Soul was towed away. The fire was reported around 4 am; nearby residents say the lot has been a chronic trouble spot for stunt driving and worse. It’s a Seattle Public Schools facility, so we asked the district whether the gate to that part of the lot was supposed to be locked. Short answer, yes, per a district spokesperson, whose full reply to our inquiry was:
Locking the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex gates is part of the nightly routine of the nighttime attendant at the complex. Seattle Public Schools facilities and grounds team reviews the safety and security procedures with the staff on a regular basis. The grounds team responds in a timely manner when gate locks are not functional to repair or replace the hardware.
The community can use our Safe Schools Hotline 206-252-0510 to report threats or dangerous activity on any SPS property. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After getting that response Tuesday afternoon, we went by NCSWAC at 1:30 am today to see if the gate was secured; it was.
Though it’s midsummer, the City Council has taken up some big topics. Here are quick notes on three:
SPEED CAMERAS: The Transportation and Utilities Committee has given its official approval to the proposal for “racing zones,” potentially enabling speed-enforcement cameras on Alki/Harbor Avenues and in other areas of the city. Tuesday morning’s vote was 4-0, including Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s vote. The discussion started 27:15 into the Seattle Channel meeting video below (and there was public comment starting around 6 minutes in):
Next step is a full Council vote, which could happen as soon as next Tuesday. As explained when we first wrote about this proposal last month, passage does not guarantee or fund cameras – that would be up to SDOT to plan and propose.
MARITIME/INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY: This plan to create more certainty around the future of maritime/industrial land got final approval from the full council unanimously on Tuesday. Here’s what the council website published afterward. For a deeper dive, including a map (which shows that West Seattle’s east shoreline areas are among the land affected), see the Office of Planning and Community Development‘s website.
RENT CONTROL? On Friday, the council’s Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee is scheduled to consider a proposed rent-control policy for Seattle. It would only take effect if state prohibitions on rent control were repealed. The City Council website goes into details; you can read the proposal here. If the committee passes the legislation, it would go to the full council for a final vote.
GOT FEEDBACK? Since the speed cameras and rent-control proposals haven’t had final votes yet, you still have opportunities to provide feedback – council@seattle.gov (and watch the meeting agendas for specifics on commenting at meetings).
From Gary Jones, this sighting less than an hour ago: “At least two whales, most likely humpback heading south just north of Alki Point, well east of mid-channel.”
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